are there any other internal martial arts

[avxsk8erpunk]

besides tai chi?

[DWx]

The only ones I've really come across are Tai Chi and Baguazhang.

Wikipedia also lists Xingyiquan, but I've not really heard much of that one.

[bushido_man96]

There are many practitioners that would argue that most Martial Arts contain both internal and external elements. It just depends on the focus that you choose to give your training.

[Kajukenbopr]

Xing Yi and Bagua are internal.

Xing yi is internal in the way that it looks for relaxation, rooting and correct body mechanics(same as Taichi and bagua). The movements and forms are done in a straight line.

Baguazhang, looks for the same elements while in movement, as opposed to being stationary. Bagua takes longer than the other arts for it to be effective in combat.

the movements are circular.

these 3 arts display great physical strength without bulging muscles, this is accomplished by using "stabilizer muscles" instead of the muscles we consciously use which takes a lot longer than learning to use other muscles.

Other internal arts include Aikido( which has a lot of circular moves to manage momentum), Yiquan(the same as Xing Yi but without the forms, the training takes longer and the focus a lot more on the training of the full body energy), ninpo(ninja internal arts)and other not very popular or well known martial arts.

[bushido_man96]

Xing yi is internal in the way that it looks for relaxation, rooting and correct body mechanics(same as Taichi and bagua). The movements and forms are done in a straight line.

This is interesting. Most of the time, right or wrong, "internal" styles are held synonomous with "circular" styles as well. Nice to see that this isn't the case all of the time.

[Kajukenbopr]

Xing yi is internal in the way that it looks for relaxation, rooting and correct body mechanics(same as Taichi and bagua). The movements and forms are done in a straight line.

This is interesting. Most of the time, right or wrong, "internal" styles are held synonomous with "circular" styles as well. Nice to see that this isn't the case all of the time.

in action, this art doesn't really look internal, however it is because of its main elements

[Stlthofnight]

I have actually heard Akaido having many internal aspects to it. Is this true?

[Kajukenbopr]

I have actually heard Akaido having many internal aspects to it. Is this true?

Aikido usually works more with correct body mechanics, leverage, to be more specific for this art.

Although usually thought of as an "overly soft" style, Aikido has proven to have its practical applications and the not so soft weapon of using the floor against you.

As to internal energy cultivation and similar ideas I wouldn't be able to expand on as I don't know Aikido in depth to talk much about it. --I'll make a note to look into it

[sangngak]

I began my search in internal arts in the late 50's. The problem I see today is you are deluged with mis-information. It sells books but doesn't produce much.

You need to understand, first of all, that true internal art has very little to do with modern MA. If you look at the history offered for most internal arts, they usually refer to a Taoist or a Buddhist or a Monk who originally taught their schools founder.

In most systems of Tibet or India you'll find discussion of internal channels in the body. (Nadis in India) Cleaning out these channels was the aim of internal art. Once cleaned out, their meditation was much more clear.

If someone learned some physical moves, it is highly unlikely they also learned all of the inner exercises. Sometimes the moves sort of look like MA moves but actually aren't. However if you developed the idea that this inner energy could be developed and you could use it for the purposes of your ego, you'd actually be working in the opposite direction, and dirtying the channels instead of cleaning them out.

In MA applications there is one law. "I, Chi, Lik" (In cantonese) and "I, chi, Li (in Mandarin).

Which is to say what or where you intend, the energy wil appear and do the work intended. That won't help you much without correct moves to correlate to it.

[yingampyang]

There are some , but they are very hiden and most people dont know of them , but they all come under the same rules of tai chi. There use to be many ZEN internal martial arts but they died off after the years.